Telephone system



April 7, 1925. 7

' 1,532,216 G. A. YANocHowsKl TELEPHONE SYSTEM Fi1ed,Sept.1o,1921 2 sheets-sheet 1 April 7, 1925. i l G. A. YANOCHOWSKI TELEPHONE SYSTEM l Filed sept. 1o, 192i 2 sheets-snm 2 Ey EMME/l.

latented ipr. 7, 1925.

, UNEIED. STATES P ATEN FFI CE.

GEORGE A. YANOCHOW'SIII, CF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR T0' KELLOGG SWITCH- BOARD AND SUPPLY COMPANY, 0F CHICAGO, ILLINOIS,

ILLINOIS.

a CORPORATION on TELEPHONE SYSTEM.

pplication filed September 10,1921. Serial No.` 499,778.

To (r7.7, vf-Jima 'it may' concern:

Be it known that I, Gnonon A. YANoorrowsiii', a `citizen ot the .United States oi? America, resident oic Chicago, in the county ot Cook and State oilllinois, have invented certain new and .useful Improvements in Telephone Systems, ot whichthe following is a specification.

lily invention relates to .telephone systems and has to do more particularly with divided switchboard systems in which primary and secondary operators are provided for interconnecting calling; and called subscribers lines, andan object of my invention is the provision oi an improved andvsimpli- Vlied divided switchboard system.

In the multiple switchboard systems of` the type now used, the board is divided into perators positions, and each Voperator has appearing before her a number of answering` jacks and line signals, supervisory lamps, answeringl and calling plugs, and multiplo jacks, all of which are well known in the art. A call from a subscriber is answered by a certain `operator at whose position this subscribers Vline terminates, and :litter receiving the number ot the wanted line, extends the connection to the called line through the agency oi? the calling plug and multiple jack of the called line appear iup; belore her position. u .1i ileature ot my invention is the provision o'l an improved system in which ythe exchange switchliioard is divided into a primary and a secondary section. The primary section ot the switchboard is divided into operators positions and all the lines terminating at the exchange are distributed before the primary operators in the primary section of the switchboard. Thus the primary operators positions are provided with only answering` jacks and answering' plugs. The secondary section oi? the switchboard at which the secondary operators are located is only providedwith callingr plugs and multiple jacks ot the line terminating` at the exchange.

'lhe answering` plugs ot a` primary opperators position are distributed among and terminate in callingplugs at the different secondary operators positions and when a call appears betere a primary operator, she merely uses an ai'isweringplug to extend the call to an idle secondary operator. The act ot plugging into the z'i-nsweringl jack oi the calling line extends the connection to the idle secondary operator.

Another 'feature oit my invention is the provision ot signaling` means whereby when a secondary operator at a secondary position is completing' a connection to a called linev` all the circuits extending to this par.- ticular secondary position from the primary positions are designated busy to the primary operators by means ot suitable signals.

'Another feature of my. invention` is the provision of means .whereby should ytwo primary operators happen to .extend connections to one secondary operators position at the same time, suitable means are provided at the secondary operators position to prevent'connecting more than one' call. from the two primary operators to the secondary operators head set at one time.

Another `feature of my inventionis the provision ot means -for manually distributing; the calls to idle secondary operators. liron'i this it will be seen that a great dealy of time Ycan be saved by bringing all the calls before a few primary operators who can manually. distribute the calls to idle secondary operators, The primary operators can thus distribute the calls to the secondary operators accordingl to the rate at which the secondary operators can handle them. The secondary operators are thus kept busy at all times that there are calls beiore the primary operators, and any sec ondary operator can complete a connection from any calling` line that the primary operator, can connect to.

The above features Vas well as others will be more fully described in the ensuing specification and for a better understanding of my invention reference may be had to the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. l. illustrates the preferred circuit arrangement for carrying out my invention.

Fig. 2 illustrates diagrammatically one method ot extending the cords from the primary operators7 positions to the secondary operators positions.

Referring now more particularly to the circuit arrangement ot Fig. 1, l show a calling substation A terminating 4.at the exchange in a line circuit L, which comprises the usual line relay LR, cut ott' relay 00, line signal S, answering jack AJ and the multiple jack J. The switchboard is divided into two divisions, a primary section and a secondary section, or separate boards may be used. The primary section contains a number of operators positions, and each operator has appearing` before her a number of answering jacks as is well understood. rlhe positions of the primary sections are equipped with answering plugs only and the connecting circuit 0 as illustrated in l comprises a primary. op craters circuit P0 which comprises an answering plug AP which is inserted into the answering jack AJ to connect to the calling line. A sleeve relay SL is provided which energizes upon the insertion of the answering plug AP into the answering jack Aslot a calling line, and a supervisory relay SR which is energized over the calling line and controls the lighting of the answering supervisory lamp AL.

The primary operators circuit P0 is ei:-

tended to the secondary operators circuit S0 by means of the conductors 2 and i5. The secondary section of the vexchange switch board is equipped with calling plugs only and contains a number of secondary operators positions, each of which have multiple jacks J so that a call extended to a secondary operators position may be cxtended to the called line through the agency of the multiple jacks J. The secondary operators circuit SC comprises a calling' plug (ll) lior connecting to a called line and a sleeve. relay SL, which is energized upon the insertion of a calling plug Cl) into the jack ot a called line. A supervisory relay Sl'/ is provided which is Ytor the usual supervisory purposes, and controls the combined calling indicator and supervisory lamp CL. A iioiiiiiteiteiiiig and operators testing relay 0R is also provided which when energized connects the secondary operators set 0 to the cord conductor so that she may converse with the calling subscriber. A ringing key RK is provided which when actuated connects ringing current to the called line from the generator G. A disconnect lamp CD is also provided which when lighted signals the secondary operator when the calling subscriber replaces his receiver, and is caused to flash by an intern rupter I when the primary operator has taken down the connection as will be de-v scribed more iu detail later. A group relay GR common to an operators position is also provided for purposes as will be more fully hereinafter described.

To the right ot the drawing oit Fig. l I show a called substation B terminating at the exchange in a line circuit L', comprising the usual line relay LR, cut ott' relay 00', linevsignal S, answering jack AJ and multiple jack J.

Fig. 2 illustrates diagrammatically one method which may be employed in distributing the primary cords from the primary operators positions to the secondary op erators positions, but, however, it is to be understood that other methods may be eniployed. In the drawing l illustrate two primary operators positions P0 and P0 each having a plurality of answering plugs Al.) for use in answering calls Jfrom subscribers lines which terminate at their positions. rilhe secondary operators positions S0, S0, S02, S03, and S0* are provided with calling plugs CP for use in extending calls to called subscribers lines which terminate in multiple jacks J at each of the secondary operators positions. The primary operators position P0 is provided with a number of answering plugs AP which l divide into tive groups, a, Z), c, d and e, and as herein shown, the first group oi plugs AP 'from the primary operators position P0 leads to the secondary operators position S0 and ternunates in calling plugs CP, the second group Z) leads to the secondary operators position S0, the third group c leads to the secondary operators position S02, the fourth group "l leads to the secondary operators position S03, and the fifth group e leads to the secondary operators position S04. The primary operators position P0 has its anwering plug Al) divided into similar groups (t, o, o, cl and c', and lead rcspectively to the secondary operators positions SO, S0', S02, S03, and S04. `Each secondary operators position is provided with a group relay (lliu which is energizedl at the time the secondary (')pt-irator is extending a connection to a called line to light a busy signal lamp BL at cach primary operators position who has answering cords terminating at this secondary operators position so that none o't these primary operators will extend calls to this secondary operators position while she is extending a connection to a called line, and from the above description it may readily be seen that the calls will be thus evenly distributed among the different secondary operators positions. Fig. 2 is for illustration purposes only. i

Each circuit at the secondary operators position is provided with a non-interferingl relay 0R. These relays are connected in i chain circuit so that the secondary operators set cannot he (,fonncctcd to more than one calling line at a time. It -a .number ot calls be extended to one secondary operato1"s position they will be automatically.handled one at a time. That is, asp-soon asone isally-is completed lby the secondary operator, the chain relays will operate `to connect the nest waiting call to the opera-tors set.

Having described in vgeneral the y-appara-tus embodied in my invention, I willnow describe in detail `the operation ot the circuit as illustrated in 1.

Assuming now that a` subseri-berat the calling substation A initiates a call, the removal .ott Ithe receiver there-at oloses an energizing` `circuit t'or the line relay LR `7` and line relay LR energizing closes its alternate contact to establish a ieireuit for the line signal S. A `primary operator at vwhose position the Calling line A terminates notes the lighted signal S and. inserts an answering plug AP yleading to an idle seeondaryoperator into the answering jack AJ ot the calling line, which establishes a series .e ergizing circuit tor the eut-ott :rela-y C oi. the line eireuit L and the sleeve. relay SL ot the pri mary cord PC 4trom battery Vthrough :the winding ot' the relay SL, the Isleeve contacts ol the Connected plug Al and .jack AJ to ground through the winding .not the out ott relay CQ. The cutoff rela-y CO and sleeve relay SL energize over this eireuit and the out ott relay C() energizing opens lthe yeir-v euit of the line relay LR to eltfaee the line signal S. The sleeve relay SL energizing closes its alternate Contact 5, establishing an energizing Circuit for the operatolris listening relay OR, ot ythe idle `secondary operators cord SG, t-raoed from :battery .through alternate Contact 5 ot the sleeve relay SL, loon: duetor 6, normal V Contact 7 :of the sleeve rrelay SIX7 conductor 8, through .the Winding 9 `oit the opera-tors listening' relayV 0R, oonduetor 10, through .the Contant 11 ,of the ehain ol' relays QR as will presently .be iles-teribed, coudurtor 112, normal :Contact '1l-.ot the relay OR, conductor 1li to `ground at nor.- mal contact 15 ol the group relay G1R, whieh group relay is eoinmou yto the secondary 4operators position. lhe relay OR upon ener.- `gization opens ,its `normal `Contact 11 thus opening its initial energizing eireuit through its winding E), but the closing otiits alternate Contact 1G establishes a looking Circuit tor itself traced Afrom battery tl'irough the avind ingv17 of Arelay -OR5 its Valternate.eofn-taet 16 and Conductor 18 ,togground at :normal ron.

taot V19 otfsleeve relay SL". The `Closing of alternate contact-,2O oit relay OR l f3,Stablishes an energizingl circuit (for the `group 'relay GR :from battery through alternate .Contact -20 of. the relay OB, `eonduetor 21 to ground through the winding ot the group :relay 'lhe `group relay GR iscommonto the secondary operatoifs .position ot vwhich the Oord SC is one, and euergizes when a call isextended to vlthatsecondary `:position ,.a nd the closing .ot

alternate contact 15 Aot .relay GR: upon ener-V gization establishesan energizing circuit for the pril-nary operatorfs groupfbusying .relay G B, traced trom .ground ,through alternate Contact 1.5 .of relay GR, [conductor 22, eon-L duetor to battery through the windings of the relays .LG-l5. Each primary operatoris position is Aprwided with a prima-ry voperators group busyingrelay GB,and this .relay ,GB is .common to all the'oords .of this primary operator-s position that .lead to the secondary operator"s position. l ,also show a i primary operators group lnisying relay GB whieh we will assume ,isy associated .with another primary operations .posit-ion, and the cireuitot' this relay isi traced 'troni groundat alter-nate Contact 15 of KVIthe relay GR', over conductors 22 and 23 to battery I`through .the winding ot the relay GB .ot the .other `primary operators position. The kolosing` .oft alternate Contact 24: ot' the relay vGB .establishes ,a Circuit tor the busy lamp BL trom battery through alternate Contact 24 "to ground through the lamp BL. The :alternate :Contact 2a of the relay, GB lis also closed, establishing a .circuit ,tor .the .busy lamp BL `and the busy lamps BL at all the operators positions Whose .primary cords lead to .this secondary .opera-tors position .are lighted., thus notifying the primary operators .of the busy .zeondition otfthis secondary operator the moment she has .been lseized lby a primary operator. It the ,call had been extended to a busy secondary operator, the relay 0R oi'ithe eordeould not Ybeenergized owing to ,the tact that another relay OR at this operato-rs position and `relay GR would be energized.

' Theelosing` @t alternate lContact 25 .o't' relay OR establishes an energizing lcircuit ,tor the combined iealling indieator ,and supervisory lamp GL, trae-ed trom battery v.through the windiuglof the lamp CL, conductor-2tlg, rlternate -eon'taot 25, .conductors 2T and 1.8, to ground at .normal Contact 159.gif thesleeve relay SL. The lamp :CL lighting noti lies the. secondary operator that ay Call has been ex-v tended ito her position ,and the .closing ot alternateeontaets- 28 and 29 oi the Arelay Oli` connects :the .operators set .to the cord .oo nduotors 2 and t3 ,andthe operator noting .the lighted sig-nal :CL now inquires the `wants of theealling subseribergatthe substation A.

Assuming Inowgthat fit is the `subscriber at the substation lBfthat is wanted, thesecondary operator iassoeiated with the secondary cord `SC takes the calling .plug CP otthel oord ,SC 4,that was seleeted by the .primary operator v:PC and tests the multiple jack J ot the .wantedsubstation iB as to .its ,id-le or busy condition, and il" lthe line is busy. the operator will ,receive Ethe, Customary busy clielt in lier head receiver. Assuming that the line Vis idle, she inserts the calling plug CP into the multiple jack J of the wanted line, and depresses the ringing key RK to impress ringing current over the line to the called substation B from the generator G to actuate the call bell ot the called substation B. The insertion of the calling plug CP into the jack J establishes a series energizing circuit tor the cut ott relay CU ot' the line circuit L, and the sleeve relay SL ot the. secondary cord SC, the circuit being' traced trom battery through the winding ot' the relay SL, the sleeve contacts oit the connected plug CP and jack J to ground through the cut otl' relay CO. The sleeve relay SL upon energization opens the locking circuit ot the operators listening relay OR at its normal contact. 19 and relay OR upon de-energization opens its alternate contact 2O to open the energizing circuit o'tl the group relay GR. The group relay GR (le-energizing opens its alternate contact 15 to open the energizing circuit ot the primary operator-s group busying relays GB and GB, and the relays GB and GB thus cle-energize to open their alternate contacts 24 and 24e to open the energizing circuit of the busy lamps BL and BL. The busy lalnps BL and BL are effaced to notity the primary operators that the primary cords PC leading I'rom their posit-ions to the secondary operator to which these cords lead that the secondary operator has established the connection to the called line and that she is now idle and is available so that further connections can now be extended to this secondary operators position. The opening of alternate contacts 28 and 29 of relay OR disconnects the operators set O from the cord conductors. The closing ot contact 25 of the relay OR permits the combined call indicator and supervisory relay CL to remain lighted over a circuit traced from battery through the lamp CL, conductor 26, normal Contact 2) oi: the relay OB, conductor 30, normal contact 31, of the supervisory relay SR', eondiiictor 32 to ground at alternate Contact 19 of the sleeve relay SL.

.lhe operator now depresses the ringing key RK to transmit ringing current 'from the ungrounded pole of the generator G, through the closed contact ot the actuated ringing key RK, tip contacts ot'the connected plug CP and jack J, through the condenser and call bell at the substation B. the ring` contacts ot' the connected jack J and plug CP to ground at the alternate Contact of the ringing key RK. Ringing current is thus applied to the line of the called substation B upon each actuation of the ringing key RK, and upon the response of the called subscriber at the called substation B, an energizing circuit' is established for the supervisory relay SR', traced trom battery through the upper winding ot the relay SR', alternate contact 33 ot the sleeve relay SL, tip contacts of the connected plug Gl) and jack J through the now closed contacts of the substation switch hook, back through the ring' contacts ot the connected jack J of the plug' CP, through the lower winding ot' the relay SR to ground. The relay SR energizing opens its normal contact 31, thus etlacing the signal GL notifying the secondary operator that the called subscriber at the substation B has answered.

They calling subscriber at the substation A and the called subscriber aty the substation B are now in conversation-.il circuit and the talking circuit may now be traced over the heavily marked conductors. Assuming now that conversation has terminated. the replacing oit the receiver at the calling substation A opens the energizing circuit o'l the supervisory relay SR. The supervisorv relay SR Cle-energizing, closes its normal contact 84 establishing a circuit tor the answering supervisory relay AL traced trom battery through the lamp AL, normal Contact 34 of relay SR, alternate contact 35 of the sleeve relay SL, conductor 36, through the cord disconnect lamp C1), conductor 32, to ground at alternate contact 19 of the sleeve relay SL. The replacing o'l' the receiver of the called substation B opens the energizing circuit ot' the supervisory relay SR, and the closing ot the normal contact 31 again establishes a circuit tor the supervisory lamp CL over a circuit as previously described.

The lighted answering supervisory lamp AL notities the primary operator that the calling subscriber has replaced his receiver` and the lighting of the supervisory lamp CL at the secondary operators cord end notities the said secondary operator that ilie called subscriber has replaced his receiver. The lighting olf the 'all disconnect lamp Gl.) notities the secondary operator that the. calling subscriber at thel substation B has replaced his receiver and the primary and serondary operators having received disconnect signals know that conversation is termi-- nated. The primary operator removes the answering plug AP 'trom the answering i ack AJ. The Withdrawal ot the plug Al) troni the jack AJ opens a series energizing circuit for the sleeve relay SL and the cut oilI relay 'CO and the openine' of alternate contact 35 of the relay SL ettaces the answering supervisory signal AL. rlhe de-energization of SL closes a circuit though diseon neet lamp CD, extending from battery through interrupter I, normal contact 35 of relay SL, through lamp CD to ground at contact' 19 ot relay SL. The 'liashing ct lampCD notities the secondary operator that the primary operator has removed the answering plug' AP itrom the jack o't the lill calling line. fthe second ry operator now withdraws ther plus; CP trom' the ilacl: d. The withdrawal ot the calling plug Cif from the nuiltipie jack il ot the called line opens: the series energizing circuit ott the sleeve relay SL andthe cut oft' relay CU" and the opening oi alternate contact i9 of the relay Siti etiac'es the signal GL. The apparatus now used in estal'ilishing the connecti'on between the calling subscriber at the substation A@ and the called subscriber at the snbstation l?) is now at normal and available tor use in establishing other connections.

ldlhile l have illustrated my invention operating in co'iinection with specilic circuit arrangements, it is to be understood that my invention is adaptable to other systems, and that changes and modiiications will readily themselves by those skilled' in the art, and I therefore aim tov cover all' such ch'ai'iges and modiiications as come within the spirit and scope ot the appended claims.

Having described my invention what l, claim as new and desire to secure by lietters Patent is:

1. A telephone system' includingl a subscribei"s line terminating at one switch-v board, a called snbscribei"s line terminating at a second switchboard', a circuit extending between said boards tor connecting said lines in telephonie conversation, a signal tor said eirci'iit at each ol saidV boards, means controlled by one ot said' subscribers 'for' opcrati both ot said siginils, and means controlhaL by an 'operator 'tor ettacing one ot said signals and tor dashingl the other ol said signals. y

Q. A telephone system including a calling` subscribers line terminating' at one switchboa l; a called subscriber-s line terniinating at a si, "nd switchboard, a circuit edending` between said boards tor connectingl said lines in telephonie conversation, a signal vttor said circuit at each et said boards, means controlled by one ol said' subscribers when signailing` 'tor ilisconnectio'n tor operating;` both ol said signals, and means controlled by an operator when disconnecting vsaid circuit troni one ot said lines for eil'acing one oi said signals and 'for 'flashingY the other oll said signals.

El. il telephone system including` a switchboard liai'ingi` .answerinr` jacks and a circuit provided with an answering terminal,` a second swilchboardl having' multiple jacks and a calling terminal ior said circuit, an operalors set at said second switchboard, automatic means responsive to the connection ot aid ai'isweriira` terminal to one ot said answering 'jacks for connecting` the said operators set at said second switchboard to said circuit. y

i A telephone system including` switchboard having answering jacks and a circuit call i n g provided with an answeringterminal, a second siiiitchboard having,l multiple iz :lis and a calling terminal tor said circuit,v an opera'tors set at said second switchboard, au-

tomatic means responsive to the connection ot said answering terminal ro one olf said answeringjacls for connecting,l the said operators set at said second switchboard to said circuit, and means responsive to the connection osaid callingv terminal to one ot said multiple jacks to` disconnect said ope"- ators set -trom said circuit.

5. A telephone system including a switchboard divided into operators positions, answering terminals at said switchboard. a second.switchboard divided into operators" positions, multiple terminals at` said second switchboard, circuits extending 'from said iirst switchboard to said second switchboard,

answering' terminals vFor said circuits at "l iirst switchboard7 calling' terminals 'for said circuits at said second switchboard, manual means tor connecting said answering; terminals to said answering jacks whereby calls are manually distributedto the operators at the second of said switchboards.

6e A telephone'system including` a switchboard divided into operators positions, answering' terminals at said switchboard, a second switchboard divided into operators positions, multiple terminals at said second switchboard*r` circuits extending` from said first switchboard to said second switchboard'. answering terminals tor said circuits at said first switchboard, calling' terminals tor said circuits at said second switchboafrd. manual .means `tor connecting' said answering terminals to said answering' jacks whereby calls are manually distributed to the operators at the second ot said switchboards,y and means for indicatingi to the operators Vat said `first switchboard which operators are idle at said second switchboard.

7. A, telephone system including a switchboa-rd'ha'ving operators positions, answeringterminals on said switchboard` a second switchboard having operators positions, multiple terminals on said second switch-- board, circ-'nits ex'tendingtrom diiterent positions on said first switchboard to diilicrent posit-ions onsaid' second switchboard, answeringr termina-ls at said .tirst switchboard tor said circuits, calli-ng tei ninals at said sec-- ond switchboardv ilor said circuits, niianual means tor connectingl the answering terminals oit saidwcirciii'tsfto said answering; iacls to .n'iani'ially distribute the calls to the operi.- tors at said secondv switchboard, and manual means Jfor connectingl said calling terminals to said multiple jacks to complete the connections.V

8. A telephone system: includinba switchboard having operators positions, answering terminals on said switchboard, a second switchboard having operators positions,

multiple terminals on said second switchboard, circuits extending .'t'rom different posit-ions on said irst switchboard to di iierent positions on said second switchboard, answering` terminals at said tirst switchboard tor said circuits, calling terminals at said second switchboard Jfor said circuits, manual means for connecting` the answering terminals ot said circuits to said answering jacks to manually distribute the calls to the operators at said second switchboard, and manual means for connecting said calling' terminals to said multiple jacks to complete the connections, and means at said lirst switchboard for visualizing to the operators thereat which operators at the second switchboard are busy and which are idle.

9. A telephone system including a manual switchboard divided into operators positions, answering terminals at said manual switchboard, a second manual switchboard divided into operators positions, multiple terminals at said second switchboard, circuits extending' from different positions at said first switchboard to different positions at said second switchboard, and a signal at a position on said rst switchboard for each operators position on said second switchboard to which a circuit extends 'from said portion on tirst switchboard for visualizing' whether or not the ope ators associated with different positions on said second switchboard are idle or busy.

10. A telephone system including' an operators switchboard divided into positions, a second operators switchboard divided into positions, circuits extending from the different positions of said Vfirst switchboard to the different positions at said second switchboard, an operators set at one position at said second switchboard, automatic means at said position for connecting and disconnecting the operators set with the circuits terminating` at said operators position, and automatic means at said second switchboard tor preventing' the connection of said operators set to more than one circuit at said position at one time.

ll. A telephone system including' a manual switchboard divided into operators positions, a second manual switchboard divided into operators positions, circuits extending Ytroni ditl'erent positions on said first switchboard to different positions on said second switchboard, an operators telephone at one position on said second switchboard, means responsive to the connection of one of said circuits to a line at said i'irst switchboard for automatically connecting said operators set to said circuit, and means tor preventing' the operative connection of said operators set to more than one ot said circuits at one time.

l2. A telephone system including' a switchboard having aplurality ot operators positions, a second switchl'ioard ha viun' :i plurality ot operators positions, circuits ertending' trom the diti'erent positions on said first switchboard to different positions on said second switchboard, a disconnect signal atl said first switchboard and one at said see- Ond switchboard individual to one ot said circuits and operable when a subscriber sis'- nals tor disconnection, and means tor extinguishing' the signal at said tirst switchboard and ior intermittently operating` the signal at the said second switchboard when the circuit is disconnected 'from the subscribeids line signaling for disconnection.

13. A telephone system provided with a switchboard divided into operators positions, a second switchboard divided into operators positions, circuits extending' from one position on said tirst switchboard to a plurality of positions on said second switch-- board, and means at said iirst switchboard for indicating to the operator at said position whether or not the operators at the said positions on said second switchboard are idle or busy.

14. A telephone system provided with a switchboard divided into operators positions, a second switchboard divided into operators positions, circuits extending' troni one position on said 'First switchboard to a plurality oit positions on said second switchboard, means at said iirst switchboard tor indicating' to the operator at said position whether or not the operators at the said positions on said second switchboard are idh` or busy, answering terminals at said por-:ition on said iirst switchboard, answering terminals for said circuits, said busy means acting' to advise the operator at said first switchboard which circuits she. should connect to said answering' jacks via said answering' terminals to distribute the calls to idle operators at said second switchboard.

l5. A telephone system provided with a switchboard divided into operators positions, a second switchboard divided into operators positions, circuits extending` Atroni one position on said tirst switchboard to a plurality ot' positions on said second switchboard` means at said first switchboard tor indicating to the operator at said position whether or not the operators at the said positions on said second switchl'ioard are idle or busy, answering;l tern'iinals at said posi( ion on said `first switchboard, answering terininals tor said circuits, said busy means acting to advise the operator at said first switchboard which circuits she should connect to said answering jacks via said answering terminals to distribute thc calls to idle operators at said second switchboard, multiple terminals at said second switchboard, and calling terminals for said circuits at sait seeond switchboard tor completing' connection to said multiple jacks.

lot)

lll)

one et said telephone lines, automatic means in each cord circuit to disconnect the operator-s set 'from a cord circuit connected to two ot said telephone lines, the automatic means in a second cord circuit connected to another' ot said teleph-one lines subsequently to the connection o'tl said iirst cord rendered inoperable untii a'tter said second automatic means in said iirst cord have operated, and siunn'visory means tor each ot said cord circuits adapted to operate intermittently 'to signal for a disconnection when the answering` end of the cord circuit is disconnected from the calling' line and the calling' end ot the cord circuit is connected to the called line.

22. In a telephone system including answering' terminals and calling` terminals and operators cord circuits for interconnecting same, an operators telephone set, a pair of relays in each oft' said cord circuits, one ot' said pair ot' relays adapted to operate to connect said operators set to said cord circuit When said cord circuit is only connected to an answering' terminal, the other o'i said pair of relays controlling' contacts in the talking' conductors ot its associated cord circuit and adapted to operate to disconnect said operators set when said cord circuit is connected to a calling` terminal, means for preventing' the operation of said first relay of the pair in a second cord circuit connected to a. telephone line subsequently to said first relay and prior to the connection of said first cord With said calling' terminal, and supervisory means 'for each ot said cord circuits adapted to operate intermittently to signal for a. disconnection when the answering' end ot the cord circuit is disconnected 'trom the answering' terminal and the calling' end of the cord circuit is connected to the calling' terminal.

23. In a telephone system comprising' calling' lines and called lines, link circuits each having' an answering end and a calling' end, a relay itor said ansuf'ering end and a relay tor said calling` end, an operators set adapted to be connected to any link circuit Whose answering' end is lirst connected to a calling' line by said Iii-st relay and adapted to be disconnected by said second relay when tlu` calling` end or' said link circuit is connected to a called line, said second relay controlling' contacts in the talking` conductors ot its associated link circuit, means 't'or preventing' the connection ot said operators set with another link circuit connected to a calling line subsequently to the connection of said iirst link circuit and calling` line, and prior to the connection of said iirst link circuit With the called line and supervisory means for each ot said link circuits adapted to operate continually to indicate when the calling' subscriber finishes conversation and to oper atc intermittently to signal l'or a disron nection at the calling end oi" the link circuit when the answering end ot the link circuit is disconnected trom the calling line and the calling' end remains connected 'to the called line, said supervisory means being' controlled by said relays. A

24. In a telephone system including telephone lines, operators cord circuits tor interconnecting' said lines, an operators telephone set common to, but normally disconnected from said cord circuits, automatic means for connecting said operators set to a cord circuit connected to a calling' line, automatic means for disconnecting' said operators set trom a cord connected to a called line, means operable to prevent the operators set from being'connected to more than one cord circuit at the same time` said last means restoring to permit said ope'ators set to be connected to another cord circuit when said first means and second means have operated, and an intermittently operable signal tor signaling for a disconnection when the answering end o'l the cord circuit is disconnected from the calling' line and the calling' end remains connected to the called line.

25. In a telephone system including telephone lines, operators cord circuits tor interconnecting' said lines an operators telephone set common to, but normally disconnected from said cord circuits, automatic means for connecting' said operators set to a cord circuit connected to a calling' line. automatic means tor disconnecting' said operators set from a cord connected to a called line, means operable to prevent the operators set from being' connected to more than one cord circuit at the same time. said last means restoring' when said iirst means and second means have operated to permit said operatorys set to be connected to another cord circuit connected to a calling' line subsequently to said 'tirst cord, and a supervisory signal operable intermittently to signal for a disconnection when the answering' end ot' the cord circuit is disconnected from the calling' line, and the calling' end is connected to the called line.

26. In a telephone system including a plurality oi telephone lines and a group ot operators cord circuits 'ior iutcrcolnncting` same, an operators telephone sei; einetrolnag'netic means in each ot said cord circuits tor connecting' said operator-s set to each cord circuit when the cord circuit is connected to a calling linerv` electromagnetic means in each cord circuit ior disconnecting` said operators set, and means for preventing' the connection of said op` erators set to more than one ot said cord circuits at the same time and an intermittently operable signal for indicating' to the operator at said group of cord circuits that lil() conversation has terminated and that the answering end of the cord circuithas been disconnected from the calling line while the calling` end remains connected tothe called line.

2i'. In a telephone system including calling lines and called lines, operators cord circuits for interconnecting same, an Aol'- erato-rs telephone set, electromagnetic means in each of said cord circuits for connecting the operators set to a coi-d circuit connected to a calling Aline7 electromagnetic meansfoi disconnecting said operatorsset when said cord circuit is .connected to .a called line7 means ,for preventing the .operation of the electromagnetic means in a second cord circuit connected to a calling line subsequently to said first cord circuitand prior to its connection with a 'called line, said last means rendered ineffective to cause the electromagnetic connecting means in the second cord to operate when said electromagnetic disconnecting means in said first cord have operated regardless of whether or notfthe said electromagnetic connecting means in said first cord remain open ateth and means for each of said cord circuits and operable intermittently to signal for a disconnection when the answering end of the cord circuit is disconnected from the calling line and the calling end remains connected to the called line.

28. In a telephone system including calling lines and called lines, operators cord circuits for interconnecting` same, an operators telephone set, normally disconnected from said cord circuits, means for automatically connecting said operators set to a' cord when said cord is connected to a calling line, means for preventing said operators set :from being connected to other cord circuits which may be connected to other calling lines subsequently to the connection ot said first cord and calling` line, means for automatically disconnecting said operators set from said first cord when said first cord is connected to a called line and to permit said operators set to he automatically con! nected to one of said other cord circuits without any work on the part of the operator, and automatic Vmeans individual to said cord circuits and operable intermittently to signal for a disconnection when that particular connection is no longer de* sired and the answering end of the con nected cord circuit is disconnected from the calling line while the calling end is connected to the called line.v

29. In a telephone system including answering terminals and calling terminals, an operators telephone set, operators cord circuits uornially disconnected from said op* erators set and adapted for interconnection to said answering terminals and said calling terminals7 means for automatically connecting said operators set .to the tfirst cord connected to an answering terminal to the exclusion of other cords connected to other answering terminals subsequently to the connection of said first cord and answering terminal, automatic means for disconnecting said operators set from `said lirst cord when rit is connected to a ,calling terminah means `for peuriiiitting .said opern ators set to he automatically connected to one of said'other Vcord circuits upon the completed connection of said first cord and calling terminal `without `the .assistance -Vof the operator, said last means "permitting the operators set to 4.he automatically connected to another of said other cords yupon the completed connection of said second cord with a calling terminahand a supern visory signal individualto each of said cord Circuits and operable intermittently tovsignal for a disconnection at the callingendof a.V connected cord circuit when `the answering end of the connected cord circuit isdiscon nectedL from the calling line and the calling end is connected to the called line. I

BO. lnia telephone system including calling lines and called lines, operators cord circuits for interconnecting same, an operators set normally disconnected yfrom said cord circuits, means forv automatically connecting said operators set to the first cord circuit connectedV .to a calling line to .the exclusion .of other cords subsequentlyconnected to the other calling lines7 means for automatically disconnecting the operators set from said first cord circuit when the connection is completed with a called line, means for permitting the operators set to he automatically connected to another'cord circuit connected after the completed connection of said firstl cord circuit without any assistance on the part of the operator. and automatic intermittently operable means for said first cord circuit operable when the answering end of said first cord circuit is disconnected :from the calling line and the calling end is connected to the called line to signal for a disconnection.

31. In a telephone system including answering terminals and calling terminals, link circuits having answering ends and calling ends, for engaging said answering terminals and calling terminals respectively, an operators set, means for automatically connecting said operators set to a link circuit when its answering end is connected to an answering terminal, means 'for automatically disconnecting the operators set from said link circuit when its calling end is connected to a calling terminal, means for preventing the operators set from being connected to other link circuits which have their answering ends connected to answering terminals subsequently to the connection of said first link with an answering terminal and prior to the operation of saidfsecond means, said last means permitting the operators set to be connected to one of said other link circuits when said iirst link is connected to a calling terminal, and to permit the operators set to be connected successively to another link circuit previously connected to an answering terminal Without any Work on the partfof the operator after she has completed the connection ot the preceding link, and automatic means individual to said link circuits and operable intermittently to signal for a disconnection when the answering end of the connected link circuit is disconnected from the calling line While the calling end is connected to the called line.

32. In a telephone system including calling lines and called lines, a group of cord circuits for interconnecting same, an operators telephone set common to but normally disconnected from said cord circuits, automatic means for connecting the operators set to a cord circuit connected to a calling line and automatic means for disconnecting said operators set When said cord circuit is connected to a called line, means for preventing the operators set irom being connected to other cord circuits connected to calling lines before the completion ot' the connection of said lirst cord circuit with a called line, said last means permitting the operators set to be successively connected to the next cord circuit connected to a calling line independently of any act by the operator upon the completion of the connection of the preceding cord circuit, and a disconnect signal for each of said cord circuits and controlled by said first and second means.

33. In a telephone system including calling lines and called lines, operators cord circuits, an operators telephone set, automatic means individual to each of said cord circuits for connecting said operators set to each cord circuit, automatic means individual toeach of said cord circuits for disconnecting the operators set from each cord circuit, means for preventing the operators set from being connected to more than one cord at a time although any number oit' cords mav be connected to calling lines at the same time, said last means permitting the operators set to be successively and automatically connected to one oi` said connected cords after said operators set has been disconnected from the preceding cord without any Work on the part oi the operator, and a disconnect signal for each of said cord circuits and controlled by said iirst and second means.

Signed by me at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, this 8th day of September, 1921.

GEORGE A. YANOCHOWSKI. 

